The Passion: He Led Captivity Captive — The Saints of Old Arose
Study The Word
Ephesians 4:8–10
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
After Jesus had defeated Satan and spoiled principalities and powers in Sheol, something else happened that is one of the most amazing events in all of scripture. A lot of things took place simultaneously during this time period of His death, burial and resurrection that the scripture reveal. Another one of those things is that the Bible says in Ephesians 4:8 that “when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive.” What does that mean? Who was this captivity that He led captive? Many people have said a lot about this in past but when you study carefully you’ll discover that this was referring to Abraham and the saints of old. All those Old Testament saints who had believed that the Messiah was coming — they were in Abraham’s bosom. Now what is Abrahams bosom?
Abraham’s bosom is the place that was a waiting place for the righteous dead separated from hell with a big gulf. This is the information that the scriptures give us from Jesus Himself about this place. So before Jesus came and paid the full penalty for sin everyone that died a believer in the God of Abraham and the coming Mashiach went to Abraham’s bosom. You couldn’t go to heaven. So when Jesus descended to hell, all those who were waiting for Him in Abraham’s bosom saw Him from across the gulf defeating Satan and all his cohorts. So Abraham was there watching. Isaac was there. Jacob was there. David was there. All the saints of old were there in Abraham’s bosom, which was a separate place in Sheol, a place God had prepared for them. (Luke 16:21 – 22)
αιχμαλωσία aichmalsia captivity – captivity, a body of captives; those held prisoner who are now set free
But even though they were in Abraham’s bosom – a good and protected place that was prepared by God as a waiting place in hell but in its own place separate from the tormenting side of hell. But because Jesus hadn’t yet come they were still lawful captives of Satan. They were still in Sheol. Jesus teaching about this place said that in Abraham’s bosom they are comforted but on the other side of hell they were tormented. (Luke 16:24 – 25) But this place was not heaven at all. They were all in hell still waiting for the Messiah to come and set them free. And Jesus went to fetch them! Hallelujah!
He went to go and get Abraham and all the saints of old out. And when they saw Jesus, they were shouting and cheering, “I knew that our redeemer lives! My redeemer lives! He has come! Our redeemer lives! We knew that He would come!!” Job didn’t stop saying it, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27)
And the day came. The wait was finally over, and they saw Him. They had been waiting for Him. And He went there to Abraham’s bosom after He had whipped and paraded Satan and He preached to them. Oh what a day that was! Psalm 22:22 says, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.” Jesus went to Abraham’s bosom and declared the name of God unto the brethren, and He praised God in their midst. Haha, glory to God!
And then something extraordinary happened. Matthew 27:52–53 tells us: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” Did you catch that? The graves were opened! The bodies of the saints that slept arose! They came out of the graves after His resurrection! Abraham came out. David came out. All the saints of old came out. And they went into the holy city and appeared unto many. They were seen! People saw them!
εγείρω egeiro arose – to wake up, to arouse from sleep, to raise from the dead, to cause to appear
So when people say they have a problem with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I’ve got news for them. Jesus didn’t rise by Himself! He led captivity captive! He came out with the saints of old! Abraham came out! Jacob came out! Isaac came out! All those who believed and said, “I know that my redeemer cometh. My redeemer lives. He’s coming. And He’s not going to leave us here.” They were all waiting for Jesus in Abraham’s bosom. And He went and He fetched them. And when He arose, He didn’t rise by Himself. He came out and they came out with Him. They appeared unto many. They went into the holy city. Glory to God! That is what it means when it says He led captivity captive!
גאל ga’al redeemer – to redeem, to act as kinsman-redeemer, to buy back, to rescue from captivity
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things. He went down to the lowest. He went to Sheol. He defeated Satan. He freed the captives. He led them out. And then He ascended to the highest — far above all heavens. From the deepest depth to the highest height. That is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is the power of the resurrection!
And guess what, Jesus is coming again! He is coming back to get us oh glory to God! And I am now here and I’m still saying it “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another!”
Hallelujaaaah!!!
Pray The Word
Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus led captivity captive. He descended to Sheol, defeated Satan, freed the saints of old, and arose with them in triumph. I thank You that He who descended is the same who ascended far above all heavens, and I am a partaker of His victory today. And this Jesus whom the disciples saw ascend is coming again in like manner as they saw Him go, and I wait with great anticipation for that day in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Speak The Word
Jesus Christ led captivity captive! He descended to the lowest depths and ascended to the highest heights. The graves were opened and the saints arose because of His resurrection power. That same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me. I am no longer Satan’s captive — I am free! Being led in Jesus’s triumphal procession. He that descended is the same that ascended, and He fills all things, including my life, and He is coming back again in the name of Jesus Christ!